Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 25, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 19 www.clearpathfinancialpartners.com Wishing you continued success! The ClearPath team would like to recognize your hard work, dedication, and outstanding contributions. Your passion, vision and leadership have had a positive impact on our clients and so many in our community! Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Molly Brown, CFP®, AEP® Partner, Financial Planner 2025 WBJ 40 Under Forty Honoree 774-745-8699 cornerstonebank.com Member FDIC | Member DIF Scan the QR code to connect with us. More Than Half of Businesses in the U.S. Reported Fraud in the Past Two Years We Can Help with Positive Pay Positive Pay is the leading fraud-prevention solution designed to help protect your business against altered, forged, or counterfeit checks and ACH debits clearing your account—with the convenience of reviewing and acting on decision items right from online banking or the mobile app. So far this year, we've protected our business customers from over $155,000 in fraudulent transactions, and we're just getting started. 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Stefanie Silva, 38 Director of programs & events Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Westfield State University, Worcester State University Stefanie Silva has overhauled the Worcester chamber's event programming through her leadership of 200+ annual events to deliver value to members while enhancing the region's economic vitality. As chair of the Worcester Women's Leadership Conference for the second consecutive year, she leads the 16- year Central Massachusetts staple welcoming 650+ attendees, 50 vendors, two nationally recognized keynote speakers, and eight empowering workshops. The year-round effort creates meaningful space for women to feel safe, seen, and supported while fostering genuine connection, lasting relationships, and professional growth. Through her side business, Silva Social Events, she creates memorable wedding, shower, and birthday experiences for families from engagement through graduation. Her event planning mastery demonstrates her ability to remain calm and collected when unexpected challenges arise, ensuring seamless experiences whether speakers don't show, food orders go wrong, or audiovisual equipment fails. She serves on the City of Worcester's Status of Women Advisory Committee, CASA Project Worcester County board, and Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts board. A fourth-generation Worcester resident, Silva regularly volunteers at food banks and shelters. What actor would play you in a movie? Emma Watson (without a British accent) What lesson do you have for the next generation? Movements are born from ordinary people choosing to speak up, again and again. Use your voice; it's one of the most powerful tools you'll ever have. What person would you like to meet in the next 40 years? Malala Yousafzai, to gain insight into how I, too, can contribute meaningfully to creating a more equitable world for girls and women everywhere. Edlin Ortiz, 35 Chief resident programs officer Worcester Housing Authority, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic College: Pace University Edlin Ortiz has risen through the WHA ranks to become an indispensable leader whose impact changes lives across communities. She leads both the family services and resident services departments. Through her team's efforts, residents grow savings, reduce debt, secure employment, and achieve homeownership while participating in initiatives for food insecurity, youth programming, summer camps, and community concerts. Her career trajectory demonstrates exceptional dedication to WHA mission, advancing from the transitional housing program where she helped hundreds of families transition into stable housing, to development coordinator guiding residents through the Curtis Apartments revitalization, to vice president of family services where her leadership helped dozens of families achieve self-sufficiency and homeownership. Ortiz's personal journey as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, arriving at 13 without speaking English, fuels her unwavering commitment to supporting others facing challenges. Through family support, community strength, and encouragement from University Park Campus School in Worcester, she overcame obstacles to thrive academically and professionally. Her advocacy for domestic violence victims extends beyond her professional responsibilities, while her support for her sister's flamenco dance studio shows her commitment to cultural expression. . What actor would play you in a movie? Jenna Ortega. She's young, bold, and full of energy. Proudest moment? Becoming a mom. My children fuel me daily with strength, love, and motivation to lead by example.

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